Medicinal Plants in Alaska

What medicinal plants are in your part of Alaska? Here in western Alaska we don't have too many that I know of, but there are a few.

We have one plant that Yup'ik Eskimos swear by for everything: Chithlook. They use it for aches and pains, fevers, headaches, you name it! I've heard it has a very bitter taste. But some kids around here chew on it like it's candy. They make a tea out of it. It is a leafy weed. I believe it works both fresh and dried. I'm sure it has some sort of menthol property that eases sore throats, congestion, and fever.

Willow: Willow bark, when chewed on or made into a tea, has a chemical that acts just like aspirin and can alleviate headache pain literally in a matter of minutes.

Cloudberries: We call them salmonberries, but technically they are cloud berries. They have a huge amount of vitamin C and when eaten during a cold can help your immune system immensely.

Cottonwood Oil: Cottonwood tree's buds produce an oil in the spring that is very expensive and can literally heal arthritis pain as soon as it's rubbed on the skin where the muscles ache. I've heard it's like magic. I'm not sure how to go about making the oil, but I would like to try and keep some in stock.

Alder Leaves: Alder leaves, like willow, can help alleviate headaches. I think they are supposed to be dried first and made into a tea, but I've chewed on them raw and they work fairly well. Don't swallow them- just chew and then spit them out.

Alaskan Animal Folklore

I'm constantly doing research on Alaskan folklore- mainly for my own personal use. But I thought that a few other people might find some of these fantasy facts regarding our wildlife quite interesting.

Photo by yjImagery (www.yjimagery.com)

 

Lynx: Lynx are an invisible animal who keep the secrets of the forest. They see all, but are not often seen.

Arctic Fox: In northern Europe folklore seeing an arctic fox foretells the appearance of the northern lights.

Polar Bear: Polar bears are spirit bears, who hold knowledge of the past and will hurt a human who's soul they see has done bad things.

Black Bear: The curious bear. More often than not the sight of a black bear means you're curiosity is taking you too far. Think of your needs before following your wants.

Brown Bear: Also known as 'the mother bear'. They protect and respect humans, but will also discipline and overpower them.

Moose: Moose, although large, are quiet. Seeing them means you'll learn more from silence than you will from your own voice.

Vole: Voles, like mice, are helpers- and can aid humans in daily chores (aka cleaning up food scraps, making messes disappear, etc)

Owl: From the wonderful literature of Winnie The Pooh- owl's are the knowledgeable creatures. Seeing an owl means very important information is coming your way. And a white owl predicts paranormal experiences that hold ancestral knowledge.

Raven: Ravens, like crows, are known to tell of death. But raven's unlike crows, don't foretell it- they warn it. seeing a raven means be cautious.

Red Fox: Predict simple happiness. Usually you'll have a small amount of good luck after seeing a red fox.

Rabbit: Rabbits foretell fertility. Hence the Easter rabbit! They also possess feminine energy- which can aid in dealing with children and health issues.

Snowshoe Hare: Offer protection and awareness! They can help you sense danger before it happens.

Frogs: Masculine energy. Frogs can aid when dealing with physical strengths, logic, and math and science.

Salmon: A change of seasons. Salmon can help change your opinion and allow you to keep an open mind. They are also known as being the source of the northern lights.

Beaver: Beaver furs offer a very powerful protection of homes and houses. Keeping one near your door can ward off unwanted visitors. And keeping one in your homes protects it from natural disasters, fires, and other unfortunate events. Some people believe they offer the same protection for cars and other modes of transportation.

Modern Kuspuk Ideas

There are literally a hundred styles of kuspuks and I love them all. But I've seen a few really cute ideas that I thought were worth sharing. Feel free to add your ideas to the list by commenting below!

Appliques or Patches on the Pocket: I saw a kussuq lady who made kuspuks for her daughters and on the pocket she had iron on patches. One little girl had a red parka with little farm animals on the pocket (a cow, pig, chicken). It was like a red barn with farm animals! A super cute way to combine Midwest living and Alaska. And then another girl had a cute little skull applique on the corner of her black kuspuk. She was a little older and it definitely fit her style.

Fur Trim: I've seen quite a few kuspuks with a very small amount of short haired fur trimming the bottom skirt and wrist cuffs. Not like a parka trim where it's thick. But rather just a thin strip of rabbit or mink.

Zippers on the Pocket: Another kussuq idea! A lady in Bethel added zippers to her kuspuk pockets. The pockets are deep enough to keep stuff in without risking it falling out. But it's still a cute idea to ensure when you bend over everything you're holding doesn't fall to the floor.

Bows on the Hood/Wrist Cuffs: I saw a cute little (I think Innupiaq?) girl who had kuspuk with little bows on the wrist cuffs. And then she also had a little bow on each of the strings that pull the hood tight. I thought it was adorable.

Glitter Trim: Instead of fabric trim, use fabric paint or glitter. You can make intricate designs, like swirls and circles. It looks similar to a fabric trim, except you can experiment with different shapes and mix colors.

Sports Number on Back: I thought this was a cool idea for boys kuspuks. If they are in basketball, cut a jersey-style number from a piece of fabric and sew it to the back of the kuspuk. It'd be a great way to show their team spirit and Alaskan pride at the same time.

Rainpuks: A lady in the southeast makes these adorable rainpuks! Which are waterproof kuspuks. They're more lightweight than parkas, and styled just like a kuspuk, except with a zipper down the middle. And she uses waterproof material.

All About Alder

This is an excerpt from my tree encyclopedia, about Alder which is personally my favorite tree along with Willow. I thought some people may find it interesting or helpful.

ALDER



Uses

•The catkins (flowers) can be eaten for survival purposes.

•The charcoal can be used as an ingredient in gunpowder.

•The trunk is used for firewood when smoking game and fish.

•The wood is ideal to use in bridges and troughs, because of it's waterproof properties.

•Red dye can be made from the bark.

•Green dye can be made from the leaves.

•Brown dye can be made from the twigs.

•The wood can be used for making furniture and cabinets.

 

Magick

courage, banish nervousness and anxiety, wealth, career opportunities, good financial fortune, bravery, growth, spiritual developement, charisma, confidence, self journey, strength, determination,charisma, leadership

•The trees are thought to be a doorway to fairy realms. Their dense branches can be used as pathways to communicate with pixies and fay.

•Carrying an alder twig while taking trips by boat or ship can bring protection from harsh waters and promote good sense of direction.

•It brings bad luck to handle alder wood with the thoughts of death.

•The wood can be made into flutes, pipes, and whistles that can be used to call on wind spirits.

•Divining rods from the wood can be used to make it rain and banish drought.

Associations:

Fox, Masculine Energy, Bran, Neptune, Water, Fire, Phoroneus

Medical

•Heating the leaves in a bag and then holding it to your joints can help relieve pain.

•Tea made from the dried bark can help with inflimation and a sore throat.

•Placing the leaves in your shoes can help ease foot pain while hiking.

•Chewing on one raw leaf can alleviate stomache pain.

•Boiled alder leaves can be placed on insect stings to reduce swelling.

•Boiling the bark and adding the water to a bath can can help with body aches or chicken pox.

Species

Common Alder

Zone: 3-7

Habitat: damp or wet soils, moist woodlands, riversides, swamps, tolerate poor soils

Identification: Grows to a large sized shrub with round green leaves and oval shaped lenticels or "tears" in the bark. The leaves have a bit of a ragged edge that looks similar to torn paper. They also often times curve in at the end of the leaf like a heart. They have horizontal symmetrical viens going out from both sides of the center vien of the leaf. They have long yellow-brown catkins and small red clusters of cones (that look like small pine cones) that harden when pollinated.

Mountain Alder

Zone: 2-6

Habitat: moist nutrient-rich soils, in forests along streams, bogs, near willow trees

Identification: A small tree that tends to grow in clusters. They have leaves similar to the common alder, but with a point at the end and they tend to be rounder. The viens going through the leaf also often times have a bit of a whiter tint to them. The front of the leaf is green, the back is lighter with a hairy surface. Has catkins and cones just like common alder. Has yellow-brown bark with oval shaped tears in the bark.

Red Alder

Zone: 2-6

Habitat: grows after disturbances, full sun areas, wet soils

Identification: Small tree with white bark. They do share the common alder's "tears" but they tend to be sparcer and a bit bigger in size. Younger trees have a greenish-brown bark with white tears. More than often this tree will house lichens. Leaves are very similar to the common alder, with a slightly more oval shape.

Siberian Alder

Zone: 3-7

Habitat: swamps, bogs, wet soils with long winters, near streams

Identification: A small sized tree that has brownish-gray bark with the typical alder "tears" (oval like scars) and catkins and cones. Leaves are similar in comparison to the common alder, but are more vibrantly green. The leaves also seem to be rounder and wider than the common alder.

Sitka Alder (Green Alder)

Zone: 4-7

Habitat: near willows, rocky soils, river gravels, stony slopes, mountains, tracks of avalanches

Identification: Sharing leaves practically identical to the common alder this alder is differentiated by it's whitish bark and white female cones. The male catkins are long and yellowish in color. The leaves turn to a purple color in fall.

Speckled Alder

Zone: 2-6

Habitat: acedic soils, in dense forest areas with other trees and shrubs, bogs, swamps, tundra

Identification: Practically identical to the common alder, but with very distinct white "tears" in the bark. These tears are small, but very thick on the bark and also appear on the branches- where as only on the trunks of other alders. The bark is a rusty-brown color and branches tend to grow very thick with this kind of alder.